Nematandani backs Igesund

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A cloud of anticipation has been hanging ahead of Igesund announcing his first squad tomorrow since taking over the national team job two months ago as he prepares to get moving with friendly matches against five times World Champions Brazil on September 7 and neighbours Mozambique four days later.

Igesund takes over a Bafana team that hasn’t been convincing with two draws in Group A of the World Cup qualifiers piling up the pressure for the team to win all four remaining games of a group that has Ethiopia, Botswana and CAR to be guaranteed of progressing to the last qualifying round.

"He is the perfect fit for this situation and we have no doubt that he will make a difference," says Nematandani in a stamp of approval of the veteran coach.

Igesund will have to make do with a series of other friendly matches against Poland, Zambia and UAE before he eventually gets his first official match next year – six months since his appointment – in the 2013 AFCON finals where Bafana have their place sealed by virtue of being hosts.

Straight after the AFCON finals where as hosts Igesund must sure the team does better than they have done in the last 10 years the last four games of the second round of qualifiers will be starring as the bid to rescue qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil continues.

"I think it is a step in the right direction (Igesund as Bafana coach). The man has the passion that we need. He energises everybody," adds Nematandani whose SAFA is however still to sort out contractual issues with previous coach Pitso Mosimane who is demanding a heavy settlement.

"The process is running and will run smoothly," says Nematandani in reference to the dispute with Mosimane that will now be settled the legal way.

Meanwhile, Nematandani has poured cold water on speculation suggesting that Barney Kujane, the Bafana team manager will be pushed out.